Winter Storm to Bring Blizzards, Lake Snow Effect and High Winds to Northeast and Great Lakes
A powerful winter storm will bring severe winter weather to the northeast of the U.S such as heavy snow, blizzards and lake effect snow.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the northeast will bear the brunt of a low pressure system that has been moving over the northern Mid-Atlantic. Today, this system will bring rain and heavy snow into New England, moving towards the coast. Temperatures, according to NWS, are sitting 10 to 15 degrees below average over the upper Midwest, Ohio Valley, Tennessee Valley and the Gulf Coast.
This system will bring a storm to the Great Lakes from today into the weekend. According to NWS, major lake effect snow is forecast to develop downwind from the lower Great Lakes today, with accumulations of over one foot possible.
Blizzard warnings are also in effect over parts of western New York state downwind from Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
New York Blown Away by Blizzards
NWS has issued a winter weather advisory for northern Herkimer and Hamilton with snow expected—accumulations are forecast to range between 2-6 inches. The weather service also predicts that blizzard conditions will impact the counties.
North along Route 28, including Old Forge and Indian Lake across the western Adirondacks, gusts will produce blowing and drifting snow creating hazardous conditions for travelers. This warning remains in effect until 10:00 a.m. EST, with the blizzard warning in place until 4:00 p.m. local time tomorrow.
The impact on travel is expected to be very difficult to impossible due to the lake effect snows. Areas of blowing snow will produce near zero visibility—also known as a whiteout—with strong winds bringing down trees, tree limbs, and power lines. This could result in isolated to scattered power outages.
NWS discourages people from traveling today but if travel is essential then residents should have their winter survival kit with them. In the event of being stranded, people should stay with their vehicles.
In northern Oneida County, including the city of Boonville, snow accumulations are expected to reach up to 14 inches, with winds as high as 50 miles per hour.
The warning starts from 7:00 a.m. EST, with snowfall rates reaching one to 2 inches per hour locally, according to NWS. Temperatures will start in the lower 30s (degrees Farhenheit) this morning, but fall through the 20s during the day. By the tonight through to tomorrow morning, tempatures will range between mid 10s to lower 20s. In Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, southern Erie, Oswego, Jefferson and Lewis Counties, winds could reach 60 miles per hour.
North East Snowed Under By Winter Weather
Winter weather advisories are in effect into this evening for the north east of the U.S., according to NWS.
In Maine, southern Penobscot County is expected to be hit by snow and sleet, with snow accumulations up to 4 inches forecast and higher snow totals across more northern areas. This is predicted to cause slippery road conditions with patchy blowing snow significantly reducing visibility and cause localized hazardous travel.
Interior Hancock and central Washington Counties could see up to 5 inches of snow.
In the Carolina states, snow showers will be seen across higher elevations of the North Carolina mountains over the course of this morning. Winds gusts forecast to be as high as 60 miles per hour above 3,500 feet in the counties along the Tennessee border until noon local time today.
Travellers planning to take routes in this area should also prepare for temperatures below freezing which will bring black ice. Cold wind chills as low as 5 degrees below zero could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken, according to NWS.
In Garrett County, Maryland, and Preston and Tucker Counties, West Virginia, there will be additional snow accumulations of two to 3 inches with gusty winds of up to 45 miles per hour potentially bringing down tree branches. The Westmoreland Ridges and Fayette Ridges Counties, Pennsylvania, are expected to get additional snow accumulations of one to 2 inches.
For northern St. Lawrence and southwestern St. Lawrence, Vermont, NWS forecasts that snow will be heavy and wet, which could cause localized power outages. Snowfall rates this morning may briefly exceed 1inch per hour, reducing visibility sharply and make travel conditions hazardous.
For the Marquette and Alger Counties, Michigan, lake effect snow is forecast, bringing additional levels of snow of 2-5 inches. According to NWS, the heaviest snow will fall in a narrow band along the shoreline and into southeastern Marquette County. Little to no snow is expected outside of this band.
For Alger County, snow accumulations of 6-12 inches and winds gusting as high as 35 mile per hour leading to areas of blowing snow. This is especially the case for the immediate shoreline of Lake Superior. The hazardous conditions will impact the morning and evening commutes today and may impact the commute tomorrow morning.
Wyoming will see total snow accumulations of three to 5 inches, with isolated higher amounts possible. Morning commuters should be aware of isolated power outages or fallen trees or tree limbs.
For all road traffic updates, dial 5-1-1 or visit the state's department of transport webpage.
